Costa Rica | Butterfly Expedition
About this trip
Costa Rica is world-renowned for its biodiversity, and its Lepidoptera populations are no exception—species numbers are estimated to be well in the thousands. Join the National Butterfly Center on this 8-day journey to explore some of the highlights of this tropical paradise, from the country’s arid northwest to the lush lowlands of the Caribbean and the transition from tropical dry forest to Pacific rainforest. Guided walks amid cultivated gardens and natural areas will be balanced with time at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Highlights
- Take guided walks and exciting hikes through gorgeous gardens and lush rainforests to enjoy the rich biodiversity and search for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
- Explore Arenal Observatory Lodge and its breathtaking views of Arenal Volcano, the rainforest, and abundant wildlife.
- Visit Carara National Park, an ecologically diverse hotspot due to its location at the convergence of northwestern tropical dry forest and humid southern Pacific rainforest.
- Learn from one of Cost Rica’s foremost lepidopterists, Ricardo Murillo, your trip’s expert environmental educator.
About your Costa Rican expert
Ricardo Murillo
Luis Ricardo Murillo H. discovered his passion for insects at the age of 5. What began with an enormous fear of beetles (Phyllophaga) turned to love! He started collecting flies and moths, and then at the age of 7 he decided to specialize in butterflies. At 13, he started working on a butterfly farm and volunteering at the University of Costa Rica Insect Museum, rapidly gaining lab and field experience. He went on to study tropical biology at the National University of Costa Rica, and he obtained a master’s degree in science from the University of Costa Rica. Currently, Mr. Murillo is a professor of entomology and wildlife management at the University of Costa Rica School of Biology, where he founded the “Life of Butterflies” exhibit and butterfly breeding research laboratory. He is also the curator of Lepidoptera at the university’s Zoology Museum and director of the Leonelo Oviedo Ecological Reserve. His current research focuses on the effects of hybridization and phylogeography of Morpho butterflies. He has published more than 20 research articles in international journals and is writing a book on the butterflies and moths of Costa Rica.
Liberia
Jul 7, 2024
Upon arrival in Liberia, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to the Buena Vista Lodge. Check in and get settled in your room. Have a group dinner and orientation at the lodge this evening.
Dinner included
Overnight at Buena Vista Lodge
Liberia
Jul 8, 2024
Start today with a walk around the lodge gardens and trails. The property features native plants, allowing for great butterfly and bird sightings. Enjoy lunch at the hotel and then take another butterfly walk. Late in the afternoon, you will have time at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities. Before dinner, attend a butterfly talk with your trip’s expert environmental educator, Costa Rican entomologist Ricardo Murillo. Later, take a night hike where you will have the opportunity to use a black light for insect observation.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Buena Vista Lodge
Arenal
Jul 9, 2024
Early this morning, walk around Rinconcito Lodge's trails to learn about the dry forest. Next take a butterfly observation walk in the park with Mr. Murillo. After lunch in the area, depart for Arenal and Arenal Observatory Lodge. The lodge rests on a ridge amid lush rainforest between Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, and is the only hotel located within Arenal National Park.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Arenal Observatory
Arenal
Jul 10, 2024
After breakfast, take a butterfly walk with Mr. Murillo. The lodge is located on 870 acres, including 270 acres of natural primary rainforest with rivers and waterfalls, 400 acres of reforested land, and tropical gardens. The gardens have been designed with flowering plants, shrubs, and trees chosen to attract wildlife and butterflies. After lunch, take another butterfly walk around the property. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to relax and take in the beautiful views, enjoy the lodge’s spa services (at additional cost), or take an optional tour in the area, such as visiting the local hot springs. Before dinner, enjoy another talk with Mr. Murillo. This evening have another opportunity to use a black light for insect observation.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Arenal Observatory
Carara
Jul 11, 2024
Depart for the Pacific Coast and Hotel Villa Lapas. Villa Lapas, located adjacent to Carara National Park, is situated on a 500 acre rainforest reserve. After checking in you will have time at leisure or you can explore the property with your naturalist guide and Dr. Murillo. The hotel also offers optional activities such as hanging bridges and a jungle wagon tour.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Villa Lapas
Carara
Jul 12, 2024
After breakfast, take a butterfly observation walk around the lodge. There are many trails and gardens throughout the property in addition to a botanical garden, all with plants that attract many different species of butterfly. After lunch, visit Carara National Park. The park is located in the Central Pacific region, one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the country. The intersection of northwestern tropical dry forest with the humid rainforest of the South Pacific region, concentrated in a relatively small area, produces an interesting combination of species from both ecosystems. This evening enjoy a talk with Mr. Murillo.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Villa Lapas
San Jose
Jul 13, 2024
This morning, have some free time or take one last walk around the property and then depart for San José Upon arrival, explore the city on foot. (No entrance fees are included.) Check in at the hotel and have time to freshen up before a final trip briefing and farewell dinner.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea
Jul 14, 2024
Travel to the airport for your flight home today.
Breakfast- included